14 Harshavardhana

P. Bhaskar Reddy

1. Introduction

The decline of the Gupta Empire was followed by a period of political disorder and disunity in north India. The subsequent period is generally referred to as early medieval period. It saw the emergence of numerous ruling dynasties in different parts of the country. The most important ruling family that rose to prominence, soon after the Guptas, was that of Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar. Harshnavardhana’s accession to the throne in 606 CE heralded an age in the history of Ancient India. His reign witnessed the last attempt to realize political unification of north India by a Hindu king.

2. Sources

The main sources of information for the career and achievements of Harshavardhana were; Bana’s Harshacharita; the dramas written by Harsha namely Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika; Si-yu-ki; the account of the Chinese pilgrim HiuenTsang; Madhubhan and Bhanskhera copper plate inscriptions of Harsha; Aihole inscription of Pulakesin II; and Coins of Harsha. They form the primary sources of information to know about Harsha.

3. Political conditions of India

The political scenario of north India on the eve of the rise of Harshavardhana was as follows. The period that followed the Guptas was a period of confusion and obscurity. The weakness of the later Gupta rulers, the Hun invasions and the economic crisis fostered the forces of disintegration. The subordinates of the Guptas asserted independence and carved out independent principalities, thereby systematically broke the political unity of north India. From the decline of the Guptas until the rise of Harsha in 7th century Four kingdoms held power in North India ; the Guptas of Magadha, the Maukharis of Kanuaj, the Pushayabhutis of Thaneswar and the Maitrakas of Vallabhi.

The Guptas of Magadha were not part of the main Gupta dynasty, but was a minor line bearing the same name. The Maukharis rose to power in the later half of 6th century. They were often engaged in bitter conflicts with the later Guptas. The Maukharis at first held the region of western Uttar Pradesh around Kanauj and gradually ousted the Magadhan Guptas from their kingdom. Originally, they were tributary rulers who established an independent kingdom, changing their title maharaja to maharajadhiraja, doubtless in imitation of the early Guptas. The most remarkable king of this dynasty was Ishanavarman who successfully fought against the Huns. The last of the line was Grahavarman who sought to strengthen his position by marrying Rajyasri, the daughter of Prabhakaravardhana, the king of Thaneswar.

The Maitrakas who were administrative officers under the Guptas, ruled in Saurashtra in Gujarat and developed Vallabhi, their capital, into an important centre of commerce and learning.

The Pushyabhutis ruled in Thaneswar or Sthaneswar North of Delhi. A marriage alliance with the Maukharis led, on the death of the last Maukhari king, to the unification of the two kingdoms, which were eventually ruled by Harsha. They brought the other feudatories under their control and played a far more significant part in the history of India.

On the periphery of these four there were a number of lesser dynasties the Manas and Shailodbhavas in Orissa, the Varmans in Assam, the Aulikas with various others recorded in the inscriptions. The Gaudas of Bengal, after the down fall of the Guptas came to power asserted their independence. Sasanka was the most powerful king of Bengal. He had his capital at Karna-suvarna in the Murshidabad district. Sasanka played pivotal role in the politics of north India. A branch of Huns known as Gurjaras founded a small kingdom in southern Rajasthan and some parts of North western provinces.

Thus the 6th century CE, after the fall of the Guptas, north India was deprived of a paramount political power. The entire region was divided into innumerable independent political segments and ruled over by pretty chiefs.

4. Early History

Pushyabhuti was the founder of the dynasty, but very little is known about him. The Pushyabhutis came to lime light under the dynamic rule of Prabhakaravardhana. He played very important part in giving direction, status and stability to the kingdom which he had established. His capital was Thaneswar and assumed the titles Maharajadhiraja and Paramabhattaraka.

He had distinguished himself by waging successfully wars against the Malawas, the Huns of the north western Punjab and Gurjaras of Rajaputana. The Maukharis of Kanauj contracted diplomatic matrimonial alliances with him. Rajyasri, the daughter of Prabhakaravardhana, was given in marriage to Grahavarman, the son of Avantivarman. This act broke the balance of power in North India, for it brought the Pushyabhutis and Maukharis become very strong whereas the later Guptas and Gaundas weak. This resulted in cliques and wars in between them.

5. Harshavardhana – Early Life and Career

Harsha was the son of Prabhakaravardhana. He had an elder brother named Rajayavardhana and a sister by name Rajyasri. When the Huns attacked the kingdom Thaneswar Prabhakaravardhana sent both Rajayavardhana and Harshavardhana to fight against the Huns. While the sons were away on the battle field, Prabhakaravardhana suddenly fell ill and died. Then Rajyavardhana who was successful in subduing the Huns hurried back to the capital and ascended the throne of Thaneswar (605 CE). It was at this movement of sorrow, the tragic news reached the Thaneswar, that Devagupta of Malwa assisted by Sasanka, killed Grahavarman and imprisoned Rajyasri. Thereupon Rajyavardhana marched against Devagupta and defeated him with ease. But before he could return to his capital, he was treacherously murdered by Sasanka of Bengal. In the meantime, Rajyasri escaped from her prison into the Vindhyas. At this critical juncture Harsha succeeded his brother at Thaneswar in 606 CE at the tender age of 16. Prabhakaravardhana’s desire for conquest was eventually fulfilled by his younger son, Harshavardhana, generally known as Harsha.

Harshavardhana reigned between 606 and 647 CE. He commemorated his accession to the throne by founding a new era came to be known as the Harsha Era. Harsha has extended his authority through his military achievements, administration and religious policy.

5.1. Military Achievements

Harsha on coming to the throne had to face a sea of troubles. He had to rescue his sister, the Maukari queen Rajyasri, the widow of Grahavarman, who already had fled from her confinement. He had to avenge the death of his elder brother. In this connection his arch rivals were Devagupta and Sasanka. Finally he had to expand and consolidate his authority in two kingdoms i.e. Thaneswar and Kanuaj, over which he was called upon to rule.

• His first act was to rescue his widow sister. The recovery of Rajyasri was affected within a short time.
• Harsha then diverted his fury towards Devagupta, the ally of Sasanka. He defeated him and occupied his Magadha region. These two acts helped Harsha not only to unite Thaneswar and Kanauj but also enabled Harsha to follow the policy of expansion. Later, he shifted his capital from Thaneswar to Kanuaj. Thus Kanauj became the centre of political activity in the subsequent years.
• Harsha entered into a treaty of alliance with Bhaskaravarman the ambitious king of Kamarupa in modern Assam. This was a master-stroke of diplomacy on the part of Harsha. He successfully did it and thereby weakened Sasanka and attacked him.
• It is evident from the account of HiuenTsang that Harsha is said to have waged incessant warfare for a period of six years. It is said that Harsha brought the “Five Indies” stated to be the Punjab, Kanauj, Gauda, Mithila, and Orissa under his control. However, Sasanka proved to be a formidable opponent. His power seemed to have continued undiminished till 619 C.E. Harsha succeeded in strengthening his position in the home territories, including the greater part of Bengal, the eastern part of the Punjab and the Saurashtra region which was then under the control of the Vallabhis. According to Hiuen Tsang, the army of Harsha consisted of 50,000 infantry, 60,000 elephants and 1,00,000 cavalry.
• In 620 CE Harshavardhana invaded the Chaulukya kingdom in the Deccan which was then ruled by Pulakesin II. But the Chaulukya resistance proved tough for Harshavardhana and he was defeated. Both the accounts of HiuenTsang and the inscriptions of Pulakesin-II provide the details of this campaign. After this a treaty was concluded between the two according to which the territorial integrity was honored by these two kings.
• Harsha in 634 C.E., waged a successful war against the Maitrakas of Vallabhi and defeated Druvasena Baladitya II, the king of Vallabhi. It is said that Harsha made friendship with Druvasena II and strengthened it by giving his daughter in marriage to him.
• Harsha established control over Kashmir and its ruler sent tributes to him. The last campaign of Harsha was in 643 C.E., and it was directed against Ganjam and had conquered the odra region in Odissa. It is also said that Harsha attacked Sindh whose king was deprived of his royal fortune.
• Harshavardhana at the same time maintained diplomatic and cordial relation with China. In 641 C.E. he sent a Brahmin envoy to China, who returned in 643 C.E., accompanied by a Chinese mission.

Thus Harsha established his hold over the whole of north India. Harsha’s supremacy extended on the West upto the Vallabhi kingdom in Saurashtra and on the East up to the borders of Assam. The southern boundary was the river, Narmada while in the North it included the whole of upper India except the Punjab region. The kings of Assam and Nepal acknowledged his supremacy. Harsha was regarded as a great conqueror and a powerful emperor.

6. Administration

The administration of Harsha, in many ways resembled the Gupta polity, where decentralization played an important part. A pivot of administration, he efficiently governed his empire and personally looked into the affairs of the state. The king in theory was the head of the state. He was assisted by a Council of Ministers headed by the Bhandi. The council of ministers was more or less an advisory body in the Mauryan period, but the same played a very important part during the time of Harsha.

The empire was divided into Bhukti (provinces), Vishaya (districts), Pathaka (taluks), Grama (villages). They were kept under the control of officials of various ranks and status. The local administration for all practical purposes was independent of the centre. The official’s in-charge of provinces and districts were the link between the local administration and the centre.

The inscriptions and the account of Hiuen Tsang state that the salaries of the officials were paid not in cash but in grants of the land. The practice of granting the king’s share of revenue to the officials, in lieu of their services to the state later on paved the way for the emergence of a new politico-economic system.

The main source of revenue to the king was derived from the crown lands and it was assessed at one-sixth of the produce. He maintained a vast standing army by which he not maintained only law and order in the state but also expanded his empire. Criminal law was severe. Offenders were punished by a cruel sort of punishment as well as by the mutilation of limbs. Minor offences were punished with fine. Trial by ordeal was in practice during this period. In spite of such severe punishments, the roads were not safe from robbers. For example Hiuen Tsang himself was robbed twice.

7. Royal Tours

Harsha maintained contact with the public opinion both through his officers and by his own tours, which will give him an opportunity to supervise the working of officials at various administrative units. By the seventh century a centralized system, was unworkable in the context of political and economic relations in northern India and Harsha’s extensive tours were an attempt at compromise. He took up on himself, as it were the duties of royal inspector and looked into the collection of taxes, listened to complaints, inspected the general working of the administration and in addition gave charitable donations.

8. Religious Policy

The ancestors of Harsha, were the followers of Brahmanical religion and worshipers of Vishnu. Harsha originally was a follower of Saivism but later on Hiuen Tsang converted him to Mahayana Buddhism. He erected a number of stupas and viharas all over his kingdom for travellers to rest. He also erected monasteries at the sacred places of Buddhists.

The seventh century C.E., clearly shows that there prevailed an atmosphere of hostility between the followers of various religions and sects. The Buddhists were divided into not less than eighteen sects. The old centre of Buddhism had fallen and new centers sprang up. Nalanda became the greatest centre of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The followers of Mahayana sect were mostly in the region of Champa, Takshasila, Kullu, Magadha, Orissa and Vidarbha.

Once in five years he convened a gathering of representatives of all religions and honoured them with gifts and costly presents. He brought the Buddhist monks together frequently to discuss and examine the Buddhist doctrines.

8.1 Kanauj Assembly:

Harsha organized assembly at Kanauj to honour HiuenTsang and propagate Mahayana Buddhism which he patronized. He invited representatives of all religious sects. This assembly reflected Harsha‘s policy of toleration. The assembly was attended by twenty kings, besides some thousands of Buddhists, Jains and Hindu theologians and priests. The assembly went on 23 days. Hiuen Tsang explained the values of Mahayana doctrine and established its superiority over others. On the final day of the Assembly Hiuen Tsang was honoured with costly presents.

8.2 Allahabad Conference:

Hiuen Tsang mentions in his account about the conference held at Allahabad i.e. Prayaga. The main aim of Harsha for conducting the assembly at Prayaga was to see the end of socio- religious tensions and to restore peace and tranquility in his empire. It is said that the assembly at Prayaga was attended by about 5,00,000 people who had been summoned by Harsha from the distant corners of the “Five Indies” to receive the gifts from emperor. Harsha participated in this assembly along with Hiuen Tsang. Images of Buddha, Aditya (the Sun) and Isvaradeva (Siva) were installed on successive days and precious article were distributed in charity on each occasion.

The great distribution arena was the immense sandy plain between the rivers and the proceedings lasted for seventy five days, commencing with an impressive procession. The religious services were of the curiously eclectic kind, so characteristic of Hindu society and worship.

This Mahamokshaparishad was also conducted throughout a month to distribute charity to the poor, the orphans and the needy. By this time the accumulated treasures were exhausted and then the king Harsha gave away even his personal belongings. This activity of the king catalyzed a moral decency and spirit of sacrifice for the society and state. Like Ashoka, he erected rest houses and hospitals to the people and distributed food, medicine etc., freely. Such examples of charity and benevolence are rare in the annals of Indian history.

The rule of Harsha had a moral personality and the same could break the speed of the fast decadence in the moral and cultural life. All these aspects contributed for the upkeep of moral and ethical standards of the society.

Though Harsha was attracted to Buddhism, he was extremely tolerant towards other faiths. This was evident by his worship of Sun and Siva. He also gave liberal donations to Brahmins as well as Jains during the Five year Assemblies.

Saivism and Vaishnavism were the dominating sects in Hinduism. The members of the Pushyabhuti dynasty, the Maitrakas of Vallabhi were the devotees of Siva.

During this period Vaishnavism was well established. The kings were called Paramabhagavatas. The mythology of Vishnu, the popularity of dasavataras, the worship of Hari-Hara, and the influence of the tantric cult on the mother goddesses were the notable features of this period.

Jainism had still enjoyed some popularity in the eastern and western India. It was widespread in some regions, especially in Gujarat. Hieuen Tsang found the monks of both Svetambara and Digambara sects near Taxila, Vipula Pudravardhana and Samatata.

9. Society and Economy

The varna system continued to play a dominating role in the social setup of the period. The people who belonged to the first three social orders enjoyed power and status. The position of Sudras was deplorable. Hiuen Tsang describes Sudras as “Agriculturists”.

The women belonged to the upper strata of society enjoyed considerable freedom in political and social life of the age. It is well supported by the evidence that Rajyasri, played an important role in the Prayaga assembly. Besides the courtesans and Buddhist Nuns enjoyed socio-religious freedom. The practice of sati was prevalent. Re-marriage of widows was not permitted but child marriages were encouraged.

It is evident from the accounts of Hiuen Tsang that agriculture, Industry and trade prospered during this period. The developments in trade and Industry resulted in emergence of cities. Prayaga, Kanauj, Ujjain, Sravasthi, Benares, Saranath etc., were some of the renowned cities of the period.

It should be noted here that the decline of the Roman empire, the Hun invasions and the unsettled conditions of North India disturbed considerably both inland and over-seas trade after Harsha.

10. Learning and Education

Harsha’s reign witnessed hectic activity in the field of learning and education. Pataliputra lost its glory and magnificence. Its place was occupied by Kanauj and became the centre of trade and commerce and intellectual activity.

10.1 Nalanda University

The accounts of Hiuen Tsang and I-tsing give us valuable information about the Nalanda University. It became prime centre of learning and education. When Hiuen Tsang visited this university, it was having 10,000 students on its rolls. He states that there were about 1,500 teachers who delivered among themselves hundred different discourses on different subjects every day. It provided free education, boarding and lodging facilities to the students. The professors of the university were called pandits. Some of the renowned scholars were Dignaga, Dharmapala, Shriramati and Silabhadra. The university specialized in the study of Mahayana doctrine, but its curriculum included the study of the literature of both Buddhist sects as well as Brahmanical literature. More than lectures, discussion – played an important part. The medium of instruction was Sanskrit. The university had a splendid library housed in three imposing buildings and contained valuable works on various subjects. The splendid buildings of the Nalanda University, its extensive curriculum, unique educational atmosphere, gatherings of students coming from distant places, diffusion of knowledge by way of discussions, profound scholarship of teachers and yhe taught were the pride of this age. In addition to Nalanda, Taxila, Ujjain were other centers of learning. Recent archeological excavations brought to light the ruins of the Nalanda University.

Harsha donated vast sums of money to Nalanda University. The account of HiuenTsang states that the university and other monastic establishments were maintained by the revenue derived from 100 to 200 villages endowed by different rulers.

Harsha himself was a great patron of learning and a scholar in Sanskrit. Despite his duties as king and administrator, Harsha is said to have written three plays viz., Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarsika. Bana the author of Harshacharitha and Kadambari was his court poet. The other literary figures were Jayasena, Matanga, Mayura, Divakara etc.,

11. Summary

The seventh century in Indian history is said to be the Age of Harsha. His reign marks an important epoch in Indian History. He was a great general, good administrator, outstanding poet, and great patron of letters. To conclude in the words of H.G. Rawlinson, “soldier and administrator, unwearied in his efforts for the good of his subjects, pious and merciful, a patron of literature and himself a poet, he stands forth on the pages of history, a bright and fascinating figure”. Harsha was a great ruler of ancient India.

Harshavardhana died in about 647 CE. Soon after his death, there was disorder in Northern India. During this period the conquest of the Muslims, Indian history degenerated around numerous kingdoms in the north and the south.

Web links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harsha
• http://www.mapsofindia.com/history/harshavardhana-empire.html
• http://www.jatland.com/home/Harshavardhana
• http://www.preservearticles.com/2011081610838/complete-biography-of-emperor-harshavardhana-thegreatest-ruler-of-india.html
• http://indiansaga.com/history/post_gupta_harsha.html
• http://www.indianmirror.com/dynasty/vardhandynasty.html
• http://www.historytuition.com/harshavardana/early_life_of_harsha.html